Niles glanced at the staircase, longing for an escape. “I think it might be best if I retire for the evening and end this line of harassment.”
But Aunt Margaret was not one to let him slip away so easily. “You can’t go yet,” she insisted. “I want to know how the Season went. I even heard a rumor that Niles offered for a young woman. Are you engaged?”
Eugenie put a hand up in front of her mouth and whispered, “She turned him down.”
He frowned. “Must we speak about this?”
“It is not as if you were in love with her,” Eugenie replied, lowering her hand. “You only wanted to marry her because she was the diamond of the Season.”
Aunt Margaret’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Ah, the elusive diamond. It matters not, because I found the perfect young woman for you.”
Niles resisted the urge to groan. “You do not need to play matchmaker for me.”
His aunt waved off his protest as though it were inconsequential. “Nonsense. What else am I supposed to do with my time? Her name is Lady Elsbeth Caldwell, and she resides at a country estate not far from here. A rare beauty, I assure you.”
“I am sure you mean well, but I can find my own wife,” Niles replied.
Before Aunt Margaret could press the matter further, the butler reappeared in the entry hall. “Trays are being sent to their bedchambers, my lady.”
Aunt Margaret’s head bobbed in acknowledgment. “Verygood, Turpin.” She turned back to them, her determination undiminished. “Allow me to show you to your bedchambers.”
Niles hoped this would mark the end of the conversation, but he knew his aunt better than that.
As they walked up the stairs, Aunt Margaret continued. “We shall call upon Lady Elsbeth tomorrow, assuming you have no objections.”
“I have many objections,” Niles stated bluntly.
Aunt Margaret dismissed his words with a flick of her wrist. “You say that now, but you have not seen the lovely Lady Elsbeth. She is truly stunning.”
“I do not doubt she is pretty enough, but I do not need you to meddle in my affairs,” Niles said.
Eugenie huffed from behind him. “What affairs? You spend all your time locked away in your study, reviewing the accounts.”
“What else should I be doing?” Niles asked. “I know I eventually need a wife, but I am perfectly fine with ensuring you are settled first.”
“I have no intention of getting married,” Eugenie declared. “I would rather remain a spinster like Aunt Margaret.”
Coming to a stop in front of a door, Aunt Margaret said, “We can discuss this further at a later time.” She opened the door. “Eugenie, this is your bedchamber.”
Eugenie disappeared into the room with a playful wave, leaving Niles to follow his aunt down the corridor.
When they reached his door, Aunt Margaret lingered, her expression unusually serious.
“Is something the matter?” he asked, his hand on the polished doorknob.
His aunt sighed, her worry evident. “Is Eugenie in earnest about not wanting to marry?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“We must make her change her mind,” Aunt Margaret saidfirmly. “Being a spinster is a lonely life, and I do not wish that for her.”
Placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, he replied, “She is young. She has only had one Season. Give her time and she might change her mind.”
Aunt Margaret gave him a small, reluctant smile. “I hope you are right. Goodnight, Niles.”
“Goodnight,” he replied, watching as she disappeared down the corridor.
As he entered his room, he found Wiley, his ever-efficient valet, unpacking his trunks. “I am almost done, my lord,” he informed Niles.
